Condition

3
Midden and cist burials
Iron Age
57871
MEL1760
East Lothian

Description

In this area there have been several chance archaeological discoveries. The specific location has been described as an area of eroding raised beach deposits set between two rock bluffs. It would appear that the raised beach deposits, representing an old ground surface, have been eroding away since at least 1857, when a 4ft deposit of midden deposits were first noted. The midden is said to have contained pottery, animal bone and carbonised wood and to have been associated with two vertical grooves carved into the rock surface, perhaps indicative of a structure of some kind. Human remains, apparently within cists, were found eroding from the coast edge in 1962 and again c. 1987. In 1990 an eroding inhumation burial was excavated. The area is now well vegetated and this survey found no sign of any deposits or features of an archaeological nature. 30/04/14 Eroding coastal section approximately 40m long and 2m high composed of windblown sand, contains evidence of buried soil horizons and possible anthropogenic deposits. A possible stone feature was noted, as well as one piece of butchered animal bone and one piece of Victorian willow pattern pottery.

Location

361217.00
684212.00
27700
56.0491905
-2.6242018

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Eroding section with possible stone feature 30/03/2014 Eroding section with possible stone feature joannahambly
Eroding section with possible stone feature
Detail of possible stone feature in section 30/03/2014 Detail of possible stone feature in section joannahambly
Detail of possible stone feature in section
Seacliff tower on headland and eroding section on right 30/03/2014 Seacliff tower on headland and eroding section on right joannahambly
Seacliff tower on headland and eroding section on right
30/03/2014 joannahambly
30/03/2014 joannahambly
30/03/2014 joannahambly
30/03/2014 joannahambly
Seacliff 2 30/03/2014 Seacliff 2 JillStro
Seacliff 2
seacliff section 1 30/03/2014 seacliff section 1 JillStro
seacliff section 1

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1609 30/03/2014 JillStro
Tidal state High
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Coastal defence Yes
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description In this area there have been several chance archaeological discoveries. The specific location has been described as an area of eroding raised beach deposits set between two rock bluffs. It would appear that the raised beach deposits, representing an old ground surface, have been eroding away since at least 1857, when a 4ft deposit of midden deposits were first noted. The midden is said to have contained potter, animal bone and carbonised wood and to have been associated with two vertical grooves carved into the rock surface, perhaps indicative of a structure of some kind. Human remains, apparently within cists, were found eroding from the coast edge in 1962 and again c. 1987. In 1990 an eroding inhumation burial was excavated. The area is now well vegetated and this survey found no sign of any deposits or features of an archaeological nature. 30/04/14 Eroding coastal section approximately 40m long and 2m high composed of windblown sand, contains evidence of buried soil horizons and possible anthropogenic deposits. A possible stone feature was noted, as well as one piece of butchered animal bone and one piece of Victorian willow pattern pottery.
Section should be recorded in more detail and monitored on a regular basis. Reassign priority 2

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